Remote Focusing Unit

ABSTRACT

A remote-control device which allows remotely controlling parameters of a light via a console. The console actually does the controlling, but the remote-control device enables control of the light parameters by sending the information to the console. For example, the remote can be used to control preset values or to control other aspects of the console. The console may store presets associated with focus, and those presets can be changed from the remote.

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/867,382, filed Dec. 1, 2006, the disclosure of which is herewith incorporated by reference.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/948976, filed Nov. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Stage lighting systems use a console, such as Production Resource Group's Virtuoso™ console, to control parameters of a number of remotely controllable lamps. It is often important to test certain functions on these lamps. Often this is done using a console that can remotely control the operations of these lamps.

Focusing of these lamps may be important. Each lamp is hung in a location, and a preset focus may be associated with that location.

SUMMARY

The present invention describes a remote focus unit that allows wireless or other network control over lamp focus.

An aspect of the embodiments describe using the remote to change focus presets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram;

FIGS. 2-6 shows the user interface that is displayed on the display of the remote for the different tabs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application describes a technique of remote access and or control of lighting consoles.

FIG. 1 shows a system embodiment using a direct wireless connection between a remote device such as a PDA 105 and the console 100. In the embodiment, the console includes a wireless interface unit 101 that can be for example a Bluetooth unit or WiFi unit such as a wifi router. The console itself is connected via one or more connection lines 122 plural different light projecting lamps, such as 121, 122 . . . . The connection line 120 may be a DMX line, or an Ethernet line, or may be a dedicated line sent to each of the different lamps. While only a single connection line 120 is shown, it should also be understood that there may be multiple such lines.

The remote operation allows a simplified control of functions that are controllable via the console 100. The control is carried out via a simplified user interface intended for and adapted for use over the specific user interface.

In the embodiment, the screen 106 of the PDA 100 displays a simplified user interface. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary simplified interface that uses a tabbed graphical user interface to control a reduced set of the most common controls carried out on the console. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the interface, with display information 200, but also illustrates other tabs which can be selected. The tabs may include the options 205 that allows setting whatever options are available to set via the remote control, conventional focus at 210, preset focus tab 215 and keypad tab 220 that includes many of the other commands, and also include a command line entry capability. Many of the console commands can be entered via a command line entry 220, as long as the user knows and understands the right format for these commands. In an embodiment, the PDA 105 may be a device with a full keyboard, such as a Blackberry, thereby enabling facilitated entry of commands in this way. Another embodiment may also use a stylus with such a device.

Further detail on the different tabs as provided herein. When the options tab is selected, different performance aspects of the application can be selected. The embodiment uses checkboxes to control the amount of information that is displayed on the screen. The checkboxes control how much area of the touch screen is dedicated to the user-interface-simulated encoder, for example that forms the middle of the preset screen described herein with reference to FIG. 5. This enables the same package to be used on multiple different PDA hardware devices. It also enables more delicate control over the encoder by providing and displaying the encoder as a larger area of the screen, to enable better control thereover.

For example, some user may want to be able to “grab” the encoder knob. The preset tabs allow disabling other functions so that touching anywhere on the screen selects, and hence ‘grabs’, that encoder. Other users may want to operate differently.

Other options may control use of cursor keys for control, to allow the user to focus their eyes on the lighting rig rather than on the screen of the handheld, if desired.

This mode goes into effect when the panel lock button 300 changes to a red color or is otherwise shown as being active. The portions of the screen which are locked by the panel lock become outlined in light red. The panel lock can be toggled by pressing the button directly.

In an embodiment, default setting is to only lock out the preset and bank buttons during panel lock.

The virtuoso network ID may allow setting between a specific remote focus unit and a console. This may allow different remote controls to control different consoles. Another embodiment allows all consoles to listen to all virtual focus units, thereby rendering.

The conventional focus tab 210 brings up the screen shown in FIG. 4. This includes a selection that allows channel selection, start, douse and reset controls, park and unpark for the lights, and also allows intensity controls. In an embodiment, this may operate in a similar way to the operation of the console itself. However it may also include all keys and group keys.

Certain commands, such as the “at” command 400, is sent immediately when pressing the button, without needing the “enter” to be pressed. Other commands, such as those entered via the drop-down menu, are not executed until the enter is pressed.

There are certain controls that also prevent improper sending of information. For example, the Arm key 402 is normally off, but must be toggled on before reset or douse can be selected.

The channel check button 404 enables using the next and last buttons to change the intensity of the light. For example, when channel check is selected, the next button 406 goes to the next channel and carries out some changing the intensity of that next channel. When channel check is not selected, next 406 and last 408 only change the channels, and do not change the intensity of the light.

The system also includes a drop-down menu, and allows selection of intensity values in the drop-down menu. However, changing the drop-down value does not send a command: the at key is required to send the actual command.

The intensity encoder 410 is controlled by grabbing the encoder soft knob and dragging it using a stylus in a circular motion. On a PDA that only includes a trackball, the intensity can be grabbed and the trackball rolled to control change of intensity.

The preset focus tab is shown in FIG. 5. This includes an encoder section, next and last channel information as in the conventional focus, and an update enable and a preset palette. The preset palette allows quick focusing of certain lights using stored information.

For example, when the preset is set to update, all channels within a preset group are highlighted and selected, and the preset for those channels is recalled. The preset may be stored for example, on the main console 100.

At that point, selecting “next” allows going to the first channel, thereby highlighting the first channel and removing the highlight from all the other channels. The preset can be adjusted using the encoder buttons and the encoder soft knob 500. The preset allows changing the value of the focus. Each individual channel can be set in this way. After resetting all the channels, the update button is pressed, and the preset number is pressed to update that preset.

This system can be updated by using the encoder soft knob that adjusts as the PDA stylus is dragged around the encoder. Again this can be controlled using a stylus or using a trackball. When using the stylus, the black dot 501 is held by the stylus and dragged around to rotate the encoder. The encoder does not adjust when originally grabbed, only when the stylus is properly located on the black dot.

The encoder selection controls 510 provide quick access to all virtuoso parameters that allow switching between encoders with cursor keys on the PDA. This allows changing operations without looking down at the PDA for example for preset. This facilitates presetting a light to a specified focus while looking at the light, rather than at the PDA.

The different encoder buttons that can be selected in the encoder area 510 maps the encoder soft knob function to the specified parameter. Also, when an encoder button is clicked, the buttons such as 511 on the right side of the display are disabled. Again, as in others, panel lock can be enabled to lock out the other buttons. Update, focus or panel lock can reenable the buttons 511 on the right side of the screen.

One reason for blocking out the right side of the screen is so that the encoder knob can be grabbed from anywhere on the right side of the screen without danger of actuating one of the controls. Moreover, the enter key on the PDA, usually in the middle of the cursor buttons, selects the next channel in the current quick focus preset. Again this enables watching the lights rather than the PDA while performing quick focus.

Other encoder buttons are also used including a pan and tilt encoder which allows adjustment of pan and tilt controls on the light. When pan tilt is selected, the encoder knob no longer acts as a circular knob, but rather dragging in the x direction adjusts pan and dragging vertically adjusts tilt.

The “slow” button of toggles on and off to slow the action of the encoder in order to make minor adjustments.

The shift button remaps the encoder buttons to the corresponding shifted function of the console parameters. For example, the shifted function of the color wheel parameter spins the color wheel.

The “framing” button provides framing the encoder controls.

The “3-D focus” button remaps the pan, tilt and pan tilt buttons to x and y buttons, so that the light can be controlled using an alternative technique. The focus z encoder provides a 3-D z-axis.

The According to the embodiment, this system can be used to control different aspects of lights remotely. One advantage of this ability is that the user can move to a good location to see the lights, in order to do a more accurate job of controlling the lights. For example, focusing the light may require the user to move to a better vantage point in order to carry out a more accurate focus of those lights. The user can take the remote-control device, move to that vantage point, and set the focus of the light as a desired preset. Thereafter, that preset (even though entered via the remote) is stored in the console, and can be used by users of the console.

This allows the user to interactively change values of the focus and other values of the light from a remote location.

The keypad tab 220 is a summary tab that includes most of the keys available on the keypad. Most of these commands are identical to the keypad commands, and hence allows the keypad to be used as a summary keypad.

The virtuoso remote-control device may be an IP based device, and many require that a specified IP address, such as “192.168.1.2” be entered as the device address.

The console may use an external wireless access point, such as the Linksys (R) 504 G wireless access point. The configuration of parameters from this access point may use conventional techniques. If multiple access points are used, they should be configured to use different channels and perhaps different characteristics.

Alternatively, a Bluetooth system may be used in a similar way.

Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other commands and command forms can be used.

Also, the inventors intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims. The computers described herein may be any kind of computer, either general purpose, or some specific purpose computer such as a workstation. The computer may be a Pentium class computer, running Windows XP or Linux, or may be a Macintosh computer. The computer may also be a handheld computer, such as a PDA, cellphone, or laptop.

The programs may be written in C, or Java, Brew or any other programming language. The programs may be resident on a storage medium, e.g., magnetic or optical, e.g. the computer hard drive, a removable disk or media such as a memory stick or SD media, or other removable medium. The programs may also be run over a network, for example, with a server or other machine sending signals to the local machine, which allows the local machine to carry out the operations described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote control device, comprising: a portable computer, having a housing, a screen that shows a display that is touched to select functions, and a processor, and a wireless capability that sends information wirelessly to a remote location, said portable computer running a stored program that produces a user interface on said display for controlling at least one remotely controllable light, that is controlled to move a position of its output under control of the portable computer, and is also remotely controllable to have other controlled lighting functions that are remotely controlled from said portable computer; said portable computer controlled to select a selected control function for said at least one light, including a first function include including moving the position of the light, and a second function including changing a light output; said user interface display including a picture of an encoder that includes a first spot on the encoder indicating a location to be touched in order to rotate the encoder on the display, and where the encoder is virtually rotated by holding said spot and rotating, in order to change a control amount of the selected control function, and where rotating areas by holding areas on the screen other than said spot on the encoder do not correspondingly change the control amount of the selected function; and where the control of the function is sent using the wireless capability.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said encoder is used to focus the light.
 3. The device as in claim 1, wherein said changing the beam of the light includes changing the intensity of the light.
 4. The device as in claim 1, wherein the spot is a black spot shown on the display.
 5. The device as in claim 1, wherein the spot is held by a stylus in order to rotate the spot to virtually rotate the encoder and change the selected control function.
 6. The device as in claim 1, wherein the controls include a slow function which toggles on and off to slow the action of the encoder in order to allow more minor adjustments.
 7. The device as in claim 1, wherein the encoder is displayed on different locations on the display for different functions.
 8. A method of remotely controlling at least one light from a portable computer, comprising: running a stored program on a portable computer that has a screen that shows a display that is touched to select functions on a user interface on said display for controlling at least one remotely controllable light; said controlling including moving a position of an output of said light under control of the portable computer, and also controlling other controlled lighting functions that are remotely controlled from said portable computer; selecting a selected control function for said at least one light, including a first function that includes moving a position of the light, and a second function including changing a light output; said stored program display a picture of an encoder that includes a first spot on the encoder indicating a location to be touched in order to rotate the encoder on the display, and where the encoder is virtually rotated by holding said spot and rotating, in order to change a control amount of the selected control function, and sends a command via a wireless capability to a remote location, and where rotating areas by holding areas on the screen other than said spot on the encoder do not correspondingly change the control amount of the selected function.
 9. The method as in claim 8, wherein said encoder is used to focus the light.
 10. The method as in claim 8, wherein said changing the beam of the light includes changing the intensity of the light.
 11. The method as in claim 8, wherein the spot is a black spot shown on the display.
 12. The method as in claim 8, wherein the spot is held by a stylus in order to rotate the spot to virtually rotate the encoder and change the selected control function.
 13. The method as in claim 8, wherein the controls include a slow function which toggles on and off to slow the action of the encoder in order to allow more minor adjustments.
 14. The method as in claim 8, wherein the encoder is displayed on different locations on the display for different functions. 